FROM THIS EPISODE

La Plaza de Cultura y Artes will finally open on Saturday in downtown Los Angeles near Olvera Street. The new museum and cultural center is dedicated to the largest ethnicity in a city with no ethnic majority. Also, Mayor Villaraigosa's sixth address on the State of the City and the new "zero tolerance" policy for rowdy behavior starting tonight at Dodger Stadium. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, a "great debate" beginning on Capitol Hill?

At Jefferson High last night, Mayor Villaraigosa delivered his sixth address on the State of the City with more emphasis on education than governing the city. He issued a challenge for his own former employer, the Unified Teachers of Los Angeles and promised to "present a budget that offers a sustainable long-term solution to our structural deficit while funding critical priorities." Cal State Fullerton Professor Raphe Sonenshein at is a long-time student of city government.

Cal-State Northridge Chicano Studies Professor Rudy Acuña calls the Mexican-American influence in Los Angeles a historical "afterthought," despite its importance to the city's founding and subsequent history. As to La Plaza de Cultura y Artes he says, "It's about time." Cal-State Northridge Chicano Studies Professor Rudy Acuña calls the Mexican-American influence in Los Angeles a historical "afterthought," despite its importance to the city's founding and subsequent history. As to La Plaza de Cultura y Artes he says, "It's about time." After years of delay and controversy, the $54 million cultural center will open on Saturday near Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles. It will be an exhibit space, an interactive school, a place for live performances and a gathering place. We speak with La Plaza President and CEO Miguel Angel Corzo, and hear from urban planner James Rojas and museum curator Ken Luftig Viste, both of whom spoke with KCRW's Frances Anderton.

Giants fan Bryan Stow remains in a medically-induced coma with possible brain damage after the brutal beating he suffered during the Dodgers' home-opening series. As the team returns tonight for another home stand, the LA Police Department will be present in substantial and visible numbers. Bill Shaikin is a baseball columnist for the LA Times.

Last week the Republicans, and yesterday the President, laid out their long-term plans for reducing the deficit, defining differences that will be crucial in next year's election campaigns. But major decisions are on tap for today and tomorrow before Congress takes off for a two-week recess. We hear about Medicare, taxes, women's rights and deficit reduction.